WHOOPING cough is a contagious bacterial disease that, contrary to what many people believe, can affect people of any age. What are the symptoms and what’s the vaccine available?

Whooping cough is an infection that affects the lungs and airways and causes repeated coughing bouts that can last for two to three months or more.

It’s spread in the droplets of the coughs or sneezes of someone who is infected.

People of any age can catch a whooping cough, particularly babies and young children, and people who’ve had whooping cough before or been vaccinated against whooping cough as a child can catch the illness.

But what are the symptoms and what treatment and vaccinations are available?

Victorian diseases that are coming back

Whooping cough: Coughing usually brings up thick mucus and may be followed by vomiting

Over the time the coughing should become less severe and frequent, but it may be a few months before it stops completely.

How do you treat a whooping cough?

Depending on your age and how long you’ve had the infection there is different treatment available.

Children under six months who are very ill or people with severe symptoms are usually admitted to hospital for treatment.

People diagnosed during the first three weeks may be prescribed antibiotics to help stop the infection spreading.

People who’ve had it for more than three weeks usually won’t be given anything as the illness will no longer be contagious.

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Whooping cough: The strain of coughing can cause the face to become very red

The NHS adds: “While you’re recovering at home, it can help to get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, clean away mucus and sick from your child’s mouth, and take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen for a fever.

“Avoid using cough medicines, as they’re not suitable for young children and are unlit to be of much help.”

What vaccinations are available?

The 5-in-1 vaccine is offered to babies at eight, 12 and 16 weeks of age.

The 4-in1 pre-school booster is then offered to children when they’re three years and four months old.

The whooping cough vaccine is also available for pregnant women to protect the baby during the first few weeks of life.